If the lowering of international oil prices has explosive effects on the Saudi economy, the bill under discussion will prove even more disastrous for Saudi Arabia.

Published in Daily Asas (Pakistan) on 29 September 2016
by Editorial [link to original]Translated from Urdu by Fauzia Iqbal. Edited by Alexandra Mullin.Posted on October 13, 2016.

The U.S. Congress has rejected President Obama’s veto and has given American citizens the right to sue Saudi Arabia in connection with the 9/11 attacks. Those affected by the attacks may now take legal action against Saudi Arabia. President Obama enacted the first veto of his eight-year presidency to veto this bill from Congress. Following the rejection of the veto, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act is set to become part of U.S. law. The bill has been described as a blow for both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which is the biggest U.S. ally in the world.

The bill enables help for those affected by the 9/11 attacks. According to Sen. Charles, who represents survivors of the New York attacks and the affected families, the way for justice has been paved.

President Obama has maintained that U.S. companies based outside the USA, U.S. troops and other officials may also have to face litigation as a consequence of the bill. According to him, the bill may cause the alienation of important allies at a time when the world is undergoing widespread unrest and tumult.

The U.S. administration lobbied hard against the bill when it was proposed, and President Obama personally contacted members of the Senate. However, the decision of elected representatives emerged contrary to the wishes of the government, leading to the vetoing of the bill by the president; in the end, this veto was also rejected by a majority of votes.

The bill will have severe negative effects upon the mutual relations of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Hundreds of Americans will litigate against the Saudi government, which will provide compensation to them. But this is not all: The credibility of Saudi Arabia will also receive a severe blow in world politics. We believe that if the lowering of international oil prices has explosive effects on the Saudi economy, the bill under discussion will prove even more disastrous for Saudi Arabia.

The traditional friendship and warm relations between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. will be threatened by the act, leading to a situation that may prove beyond redemption. The implications of this law will have to be borne by both Saudi Arabia and the USA.